Dpf

[lankeela]

Took my 2016 Berlingo van in today as had a warning light come up which turned out to be just a fuse gone. However the mechanic told me it would not be long before my DPF would need replacing as it was getting clogged up. Reckons it will be around £1000 to replace, but could be ok for a few months or maybe more. On googling it I have found some adverts for firms who come out and clean them rather than replacing - anyone had this done and is it reliable? Van has done just over 143000 and he said they only last around 150000 in vans of this type. Suggestions? Get it done now, wait till I notice it not pulling as well, or get rid of van?

[gingejbee]

I'm no expert on diesel engines, but I'd try one of the DPF cleaner additives that you add to your fuel tank. Reviews on Amazon appear good and you won't be spending much to try it.

[bhg481]

DPFs are normally self-cleaning; you just have to give them a good, fast run. It's tootllng about town and cold starts which clog the DPF and it needs to get hot and stay hot for a while for the soot to burn off.
I've been running a diesel Volvo for 15 years/220,000 miles and, because I very rarely do a short run, I have never had the warning light come on.

[Maydup]

You could try a good long run, but how will you know if it’s done the trick?

There are people who clean them. I haven’t used this service so it’s a suggestion rather than a recommendation but it’s worth a look.

https://dpf-eastanglia.com/

[col72]

ask someone to do a forced regen

[lankeela]

I regularly do long runs, but not this last week or so and with the very cold starts perhaps it just needs another. Will be doing a few over New Year but the problem is I won't know if it has helped/cured the problem till something goes wrong.

[col72]

get a garage to plug a diagnostic machine in it and do a forced regen that should clean the dpf out

[bhg481]

These are the instructions in my Volvo manual. I guess that they will be very similar for yours:

Regeneration in cold weather
If the car is frequently driven short distances
in cold weather then the engine does not
reach normal operating temperature. This
means that regeneration of the diesel particle
filter does not take place and the filter is not
emptied.
When the filter has become approximately
80% full of particles, a yellow warning triangle
illuminates on the dashboard, and a message
is shown, Soot filter full. See manual is
shown on the dashboard display.
Start regeneration of the filter by driving the
car until the engine reaches normal operating
temperature, preferably on a main road or
motorway. The car should then be driven for
approximately 20 minutes more.
When regeneration is complete the warning
text is cleared automatically.

If the filter fills up with particles then it can
be difficult to start the engine and the filter
will be incapable of functioning. Then there
is a risk that the filter will have to be replaced.

[lankeela]

Just spoken to and booked the specialist DPF cleaning company that Maydup gave the link to who will come out and check it and then clean it on site for £350. Takes about two and a half hours - chap sounded very knowledgeable and helpful. Fingers crossed this will sort the problem.

[Maydup]

I hope it does the trick and you run the van for another 100,000 miles!